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Safety on the Pistes

Whether rookie or pro, caution and consideration are an absolute must when you are out on the pistes. Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG has taken all possible technical measures to offer you the greatest possible safety on the mountains. Please do your part by following these simple rules and serving as an example to your fellow skiers, In this way, everybody will avoid unnecessary accidents.

1. Show consideration for other skiers

A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger others.

Explanation:Skiers and snowboarders are not only responsible for their failure to behave appropriately on the slopes, but also for the consequences of having inadequate equipment. This also applies to users of newly developed sporting equipment.

2. Control of Speed & Skiing Technique

A skier or snowboarder must always be in control of his movement. He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing terrain conditions, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic on the pistes.

Explanation:Collisions are often the consequence of excess speed, lack of control or failure to be aware of surroundings. Skiers and snowboarders must adapt to visibility conditions, and maintain a low enough speed in order to avoid dangers as they might crop up. In areas where visibility is poor or where there is a lot of traffic, slow down, especially on the edges or at the end of the pistes, as well as close to the gondolas and other ski lifts.

3. Select the Right Track

A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his track in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

Explanation:Skiing and snowboarding are both sports that allow for a lot of freedom of movement, insofar as you stay within certain rules, respect the personal space of others, and adapt your behavior to your personal abilities as well as the current situation. The skier in front of you always has priority. If you approach someone from behind, you must leave that person plenty of room to complete all of the motions they might need to make.

4. Passing

A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder from above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the skier or snowboarder being passed to move freely.

Explanation:Throughout the overtaking process, the skier or snowboarder who is passing is responsible for insuring that the skier or snowboarder being overtaken does not encounter any difficulties as a consequence. This also applies to whenever you are passing a skier or snowboarder who is merely standing.

5. Entering & Reentering the Piste

A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, reentering that run after stopping, or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes to insure that he can do so without endangering himself or others.

Explanation: Experience has shown that accidents occasionally happen when skiers/boarders enter the pistes initially, or after stopping temporarily. That's why it is so important that the skier or snowboarder who is about to enter the piste blends harmoniously into the general flow of skiers, without causing danger to himself or others. Once he is in motion - even if still only slowly - he must give the right of way to faster skiers approaching from behind or above, in accordance with Rule 3.

6. Stopping

Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow areas or where visibility is limited. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

Explanation: Every skier or snowboarder must avoid unnecessarily stopping in areas of the piste where visibility is restricted. A skier or snowboarder who has fallen in such an area must move away from there as quickly as possible.

7. Climbing or Descending on Foot

A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the piste.

Explanation:A skier or snowboarder who is making their way up or down the piste on foot must use the edge of the piste. The pistes are not intended as training areas for ski tourers. According to FIS rules, walking on the pistes is not generally permitted and, in the event of an accident, liability is always borne by the person on foot, not by skiers with a valid lift ticket. Walking on the pistes is fundamentally prohibited, both day and night.

8. Obey Signs

A skier or snowboarder must obey all signs and markings.

Explanation:According to difficulty, pistes are marked either as red, blue or green. Skiers and snowboarders are free to select the type of piste they prefer. Pistes are marked with appropriate signs indicating difficulty, dangers and closures. If a piste is closed or blocked off, skiers/boarders must obey the signs, as they must if signs indicate any kind of hazard. You should always be aware that such measures are taken in the interest of your safety.

9. Rendering Assistance

In the event of an accident, every skier or snowboarder is obliged to provide appropriate assistance.

Explanation: Regardless of the legal obligation, assisting someone in need is a matter of fairness and doing what's right. This includes providing first aid, notifying rescue services and securing the accident location. The FIS pursues prosecution of those who flee an accident scene, just as if it had happened on a road, and even in those countries where such behavior might not necessarily be deemed reckless.

10. I.D. Requirement

Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

Explanation:Securing witnesses is an important element of civil and criminal legal procedure. That said, every conscientious skier and snowboarder must do their civic and moral duty by making themselves available to serve as a witness. Reports made by the rescue services and the police as well as photos help determine ultimate responsibility in the case of accidents.